Well, if we thought last week’s walk was wet…!
However, in spite the sort of skies (and weather forecast) which would suggest we should stay at home and build an ark, five impetuous souls turned up and proceeded to slosh our way around the Cheshire/Derbyshire border between Stalybridge and Longdendale.
Starting off at Mottram we headed east over Shaw Moor looking down over Stalybridge on our left, dropping into then out of the valley holding Swineshaw reservoirs. Bearing northwards above Carrbrook we fell in with another party of walkers who turned out to be our near namesakes – Stockport Walkers. We compared wet weather stories and tried to poach each others members for the next mile or two, until routes diverged. Our party then headed for Tintwistle, over terrain that would have made Ellen MacArthur feel at home.
After recharging batteries in the Bull’s Head we reluctantly dragged ourselves out again to find the weather had moderated a little. Now it was merely unpleasant!
Round Arnfield reservoir (trying to establish just where it ended and "dry" land began), over to Devil’s Bridge, through Swallow’s Wood and then a final upstream – sorry, I mean uphill – stretch to Hollingworth Hall Moor to find our transport hadn’t washed away after all.
I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!!
Geoff
Stockport Walking & Outdoor Group 